5 Days in Cambodia Travel Itinerary

The Perfect 5 Days in Cambodia Travel Itinerary

This five day Cambodia itinerary has you covered as you experience the best that this incredible country has to offer! You will make your way from temples of Angkor Wat to the capital of Phnom Penh with plenty of stops along the way. Before diving into the itinerary be sure to check out the HelpfulTipssection to get you prepared for your trip.

Need a place to stay in Cambodia? Browse through some hotel options by city:

Map View

Take a look at the map below which points out the route between Siem Reap up north and Phnom Penh further south.

Cambodia Itinerary 5 Days Detailed Guide

​Now lets get on to the actual trip! The following is a detailed breakout of the daily attractions and activities on this 5 day itinerary. Feel free to scroll through and click on any more in depth posts along the way.

Day 1 – Fly into Siem Reap, Cambodia

We start this journey in Siem Reap – home of the famous Angkor Wat. Arriving after a long journey either by plane or bus, take some time to check into your hotel, relax, get some massages and rest up a bit. The nice thing about Siem Reap is that the main town area is not too big and you should be able to walk to get to restaurants, massage parlors, markets and nightlife. Take a stroll around to get a feel of the city and the friendly people around you.

You can make your way to the day market, one of which is Psar Chaa and/or the Angkor Night Market. As usual with many markets in Southeast Asia they have a little bit of everything around here and definitely don’t be afraid to haggle a little. Get some souvenirs, clothing, and Cambodian cuisine before you make your way back to the hotel to rest up for Angkor Wat the next day.

Day 2 – Angkor Wat

The main attraction of Cambodia, and one of the most historical in the world is Angkor Wat. A huge array of ancient temples and ruins sprawled across the area, each with its own story and history. It really will not get old going from one temple to the next and discovering what this city once was. You will also have the opportunity to go to the complex for sunrise – an experience you will not forget! For everything you need to know about the area take a look at the Ultimate Guide to Angkor Wat I put together for this portion of the trip. A list of temples that the guide goes over include:

After a very long day of running around Angkor Wat and its surroundings make your way make to your hotel to take a nap and/or get another massage. Later on in the night head out toPub Street, which is the main nightlife area of Siem Reap.

Take a look at some Cambodia travel guides to prep you for your trip

Day 3 – Siem Reap Part II

Sleep in a bit since I know you will probably be a bit tired from the previous day and night but get ready for a second day in Siem Reap.

Temples: If you aren’t templed out yet, head back with a tour guide or taxi to some more temples within the complex. There will definitely be some around the area you were not able to get to on day 2. In the Angkor Wat travel guide mentioned above there are plenty of other temple options part of the Grand Circuit that you can make your way to. You can speak with your guide/driver beforehand to talk about what you did the day before and what others they might recommend.

Also feel free to walk around the town of Siem Reap, take a cooking class, or continue shopping the markets and trying new food.

Once your second day activities are complete it is time to head to Phnom Penh. You will have the choice to get to Phnom Penh this evening or the next morning. You can choose from a 5-6 hour bus ride or can also opt for the quick flight.

Day 4 – Phnom Penh

​Here lies the capital city of Cambodia. You should arrive here sometime later on in the evening on day 3. You will then have two days to explore the city before heading off to your next destination. For a detailed view of the attractions in the city check out the5 Things To Do in Phnom Penh guide, which includes:

Day 5 – Phnom Penh Part II

On day two in Phnom Penh it is time to learn a bit more about its history and the genocide that happened here. About a 45 minute tuk tuk ride south of the city lies the Choeung Ek Killing Fields. Here is where many of the prisoners from Tuol Sleng were brought to be killed and buried. The Visiting the Choeung Ek Killing Fields guide will help explain what you need to know when visiting this site.

If you are up for it one adventurous option you can do during this afternoon is visit a gun range. Now these aren’t your typical shooting ranges. You will have the opportunity to shoot anything from an AK47 to a Bazooka, and even through a grenade. Now this will not come cheap as some places will charge upwards of $300 to shoot a bazooka and understandably this activity will not be for everybody. These places are far outside the city (1.5 hours) so set aside a few hours if you decide to take part.

If you do opt for the shooting range, plan on getting back to the capital much later in the day. If you opt to head back into the city after Choeung Ek, your day will probably end closer to mid afternoon. Once your two days in Phnom Penh are complete it is time to head back home or onwards to the next country on your Southeast Asia tour, either later in the evening on day 5 or sometime on day 6. That concludes your five day Cambodia trip. Have fun out there!